The music industry saw the loss of a legend as Cissy Houston, renowned singer and mother to the iconic diva Whitney Houston, peacefully transitioned in her New Jersey abode. She was under the compassionate care of a hospice at the time of her passing, having bravely battled Alzheimer’s disease. At the fine age of 91, she was bid farewell, thus marking the end of an era.
Confirmation of her passing was graciously provided by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston. She poignantly shared the grief she and her kin carry, and underlined the profound impact Cissy had on their lives. Pat’s statement described a family in mourning, ‘Our hearts are throbbing with pain and we are enveloped in a cloak of sadness. We said goodbye to the woman who was the backbone of our family.’
In her life, not only was Mother Cissy an integral part of her own bloodline, but she also played an illustrious role in the world of music and culture. ‘She was a prominent and towering figure in our existence, a woman whose resolve was rooted in her deep faith and unyielding conviction. Her love for her family, her dedication to her ministry, and her involvement in her community were clear indicators of her character,’ Pat further added.
Cissy’s extraordinary career in the music and entertainment industry spanned seven decades, a testament to her talent and dedication. Her influence will forever be cherished and remembered fondly. Above all, she will be remembered as a valued member of the Sweet Inspirations.
The exhilarating blend of extraordinary voices that made up the Sweet Inspirations included the likes of Doris Troy, Dee Dee Warrick, Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shemwell, and Estelle Brown; they were the harmonious tapestry of sound behind many great artists. The group’s accolades included providing backup vocals for numerous music legends such as Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, The Drifters and Dionne Warwick.
Cissy’s final appearance alongside the revered Sweet Inspirations took place on the stage with none other than Elvis Presley, back in the pivotal year of 1969. However, her final recorded performance with the group was for their chart-topping track ‘(Gotta Find) A Brand New Lover’, solidifying their place in music history.
The Sweet Inspirations not only enjoyed collaborations with the likes of Redding, Rawls, The Drifters, and Warwick, but they also graced the stage with the one and only ‘Queen of Soul,’ Aretha Franklin herself. Upon parting ways with the group, Cissy Houston embarked on a journey as a solo artist, one that proved to be thriving and impactful.
Throughout her illustrious career, Cissy’s enchanting voice featured alongside many prominent artists including luminaries such as Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, Jimi Hendrix, Luther Vandross, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, Roberta Flack, and of course, her own beloved daughter Whitney Houston.
The revered Cissy Houston was a recipient of two esteemed Grammy Awards. Her first accolade was presented in recognition of her 1997 album ‘Face to Face’. Just a year later, her divine contributions to music were once again acknowledged as ‘He Leadeth Me’ bagged another Grammy Award.
Apart from her incredible musical exploits, Cissy Houston proved her talent in the realm of literature as well. She is renowned as an author of three published works: ‘He Leadeth Me,’ ‘How Sweet The Sound: My Life with God and Gospel’, and ‘Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night The Music Stopped’.
In her memoir ‘Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night The Music Stopped’, Cissy tenderly chronicled her daughter Whitney’s struggle with substance abuse and the central role she played in attempting to rescue Whitney from the abyss. Within the pages of the book, Cissy candidly revealed that she once found Whitney in catastrophic conditions.
In an excerpt made available through The Sun via the New York Daily News, she wrote, ‘My heart sank when I discovered my own child residing in a milieu that could only be described as a den for substance abuse.’ She explained her shock upon entering Whitney’s housing, ‘The state of that mansion was a grave reflection of Whitney’s health, its degradation so abhorrent that it mirrored a nefarious entity rather than a luxurious home.’
She recounted her chilling experience stating, ‘It wasn’t just the mess, the disarray – it was the unsettling graffiti that had scarred the walls and doors. Gargantuan, ominous eyes and bizarre faces were painted like a cryptic message or a warning. So otherworldly, so disturbing. Who would deface their home in such a strange manner?’
However, Cissy remained resilient despite the harrowing sight. She waged an emotional battle against her daughter’s addiction, eventually managing to push Whitney into rehab. ‘Initially, Whitney resisted, but in time, she relinquished her hostility towards me and ultimately paid me a significant compliment, stating that I saved her life.’, Cissy wrote. ‘Despite this, I am uncertain if she ever completely forgave me. There was always a part of her that seemed to resent my intrusion into the rawness of her pain.’
Tragically, Whitney Houston was discovered lifeless in her hotel bathtub in Beverly Hills in 2012 when she was just 48, leaving a void in the music industry. Cissy Houston’s unflinching love for her family and invincible spirit will continue to inspire generations as they mourn her passing and simultaneously celebrate her remarkable existence.